Esso contemplates LNG exports

Imperial is the latest oil company to say it plans to feed Asia's thirst for the fuel, but is considering several locations to establish an export terminal.

"When it comes to LNG, it's about a lot of gas reserves in western Canada which makes it strategically possible," Chief Executive Officer Bruce March was quoted saying in the National Post during a briefing with journalists in Calgary. "There appears to be huge and expansive growth opportunities for gas in Asia."

The company says it plans to spend a "significant" amount of money on a site over the next 40 years.